"The Black Swan Research Initiative team has been busy since our spring launch," writes IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie in this week's blog. "We already know where we want to end up—curing this destructive disease—but as we move ahead our key focus is discovering the best route or routes, as the case may be, to get us there." READ DR. DURIE'S BLOG

Using MRI Imaging to Evaluate Likelihood of Progression in MGUS Patients

Researchers in Heidelberg, Germany, who are also part of the Black Swan Research Initiative investigator team, analyzed the findings of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 137 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). According to their study, published in the journal Leukemia, the MRI identified patients whose disease was likely to progress. READ ABSTRACT HERE

Thanks to IMF Supporters Who Make Miracles Happen!

Making Miracles is our way of saying "thank you" to the members who support us in various ways, including our grassroots member fundraiser program. This semi-annual newsletter produced by the development department serves double duty—as a platform for recognizing our dearest supporters and as inspiration for those who want to find ways to get more involved. READ MAKING MIRACLES HERE

In the News: IMF's Advocacy Work

Cancer Today looked at how insurance reimbursement issues impact cancer patients who are prescribed oral drugs. As the article notes, the IMF and other advocacy organizations have worked to get oral parity laws passed in 26 states and Washington, DC in just the past five years. The oral parity laws require that insurance companies reimburse oral anticancer drugs at the same rate as IV drugs. Arin Assero, Vice President of Global Advocacy at the IMF, told the reporter, "Insurance companies need to keep pace with innovation to ensure patients are getting the treatment that will give them the best chance for survival." READ MORE